One sunny summer day, I was swimming a good distance from shore. The ocean was dark and calm. Below me was an unfamiliar tool that was keeping me afloat. I got rid of the tool, which was a large bloody cow's knuckle, and to my delight found that it was easy to swim to land, even though it was a long way.
Dreams about water often symbolize emotions, the subconscious, and the depths of the self. In your dream, swimming in the ocean can represent your journey through your feelings or life situations, especially since it was calm but dark—indicating a stable yet possibly overwhelming emotional state.
The unfamiliar tool you found beneath you—a large bloody cow's knuckle—could symbolize something in your waking life that you feel is burdensome or unhelpful. Its being “bloody” might suggest that this tool is connected to a painful experience or emotion, perhaps an aspect of your past or current struggles that you feel is holding you back.
Choosing to discard this tool could signify your desire to let go of something that is not serving you anymore, allowing you to find greater ease and freedom as you progress. That you found it easy to swim to land after getting rid of the knuckle suggests that once you release these burdensome feelings or attachments (represented by the knuckle), you are capable of navigating your life more effectively and reaching your goals—represented by the shore.
Overall, this dream might reflect feelings of liberation from something that has weighed you down and a newfound ability to confront challenges more confidently. It encourages you to evaluate what in your life may be hindering your progress and to consider letting go of anything that no longer serves your emotional well-being.